Ukiah youth resource center creates a positive environment

The Arbor Youth Resource Center, which aims to provide a positive and encouraging environment for youth, has recently expanded into a bigger facility on North State Street in Ukiah.

Established in 2007, the Arbor is affiliated with Redwood Children's Services. Formerly located on Main Street, the organization felt a new facility was warranted after the program had grown exponentially from 500 members to 1,600 in six years, said Stephanie Paige, program supervisor for the Arbor Youth Resource Center.

"The Arbor provides resources and services to transition into adulthood," Paige said.

Now, youth who come to the Arbor have greater access to games, yoga, computers and the ability to connect with others who are seeking the same.

"They've helped me a lot," said 21-year-old Charlie Davis, who has been coming to the Arbor since he was 16. "Coming here is a good resource to help find jobs and stuff."

The Arbor way

Coming to the Arbor isn't just a place to meet friends or receive moral support. There is a way to build a life. Program coordinators are on hand to help youth find jobs, as well as provide the proper attire for interviews if necessary.

"Any way we can help to positively engage youth is why we're here," Paige said. "Every situation is unique."

Getting a GRIP

GRIP, or Gang Resistance is Paramount, is a big countywide preventative education tool for fifth- and sixth-graders, said GRIP Coordinator Kristin Firth.

It fits as a program under the Arbor umbrella because it helps to provide positive ways to get involved in the community, Firth said.

"There's less gangs right now in public schools compared to what it used to be because of the program, and after talking with the sheriff," Firth said.

According to Firth, GRIP started about 12 years ago after a gang-related incident occurred at Ukiah High School.

Spreading the word

The possibilities in helping youth don't end in Ukiah. Paige said she has been visiting other areas in the county which may be suitable in the future for another type of Arbor facility.

"We do not have a national funding stream, meaning we are grant- funded," Paige said.

Chauncy Everett, 20, also frequents the Arbor as a place to interact and meet new people. Everett moved to Ukiah from Illinois last August, and started utilizing the Arbor's services shortly after finding out about the center from another youth in the area.

"It is somewhere to chill when I have nowhere to go," Everett said.

He also comes to the facility to help others who may need it. The best part, he said, is seeing everyone come together.

It takes a qualified staff to run a well-oiled machine. Besides Paige and Firth, Jenny Laird is typically the first person you come upon when you enter the building. Laird joined the staff a year ago as a program coordinator. Her background consists of a bachelor's degree in criminal psychology and seven years as a juvenile probation officer in Lake County.

"It takes a lot of support to make it in life," Laird said. "Sometimes people don't have that support. It's personally rewarding by teaching them the tools to better their own life."